Credit: 9to5Mac

Similar filings in the EEC database have proven to be accurate indicators of future product releases, which pretty much cements that some kind of Mac notebook is on the table for a release soon. But which Mac could it be?

Which MacBook Will It Be?

Specifically, the regulatory filing lists a portable computer with a currently unused model number, A2289, running macOS Catalina.

Based on the fact that it’s a portable computer, we can rest assured that it’s some type of MacBook. Since Apple recently updated the 15-inch MacBook Pro with the new 16-inch model, it’s likely that the filing refers to another product in the Mac lineup.

That leaves the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air — two models that weren’t refreshed alongside the larger MacBook Pro.

It’s also worth noting that Apple also submitted a filing for Mac model A2304, which is the company’s rack-mounted Mac Pro. That model is still listed as “coming soon” across Apple’s online storefronts.

Also included in today’s filing were a few existing Apple TV models. It’s not clear why Apple submitted new documentation for those devices, but it seems to be because of the update to tvOS 13.

When Apple released the 16-inch MacBook Pro with a new scissor-switch Magic Keyboard, it really spelled the end of the butterfly keyboard era. Now, this year, Apple is likely to switch all of its portable Macs over to the new typing experience.

New 13-inch MacBook Pro Release Date?

Back in November, DigiTimes reported that Apple would release a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Magic Keyboard “in the first half of 2020.”

Combined with the EEC filing, it’s looking likely that we could see a new 13-inch model released by June.

While many MacBook Pro fans are hoping to see design changes similar to the 16-inch MacBook Pro, that specific report says that the only significant switch will be the Magic Keyboard.

It’s also worth noting that the other pending MacBook refresh, the 13-inch MacBook Air, will also likely adopt the Magic Keyboard this year.

Last year, well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo forecast that Apple would be bringing the updated keyboard to the MacBook Air — even suggesting that it could be the first MacBook model to get it.

While that last prediction didn’t pan out, it’s looking increasingly clear that this year will spell the end of the butterfly keyboard for Apple’s notebooks. With an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air on the table, Apple will deliver what is undoubtedly a more reliable typing experience to its laptop users.